Coleman will become the 13th sporting legend honoured with a statue on the Australia Post Avenue of Legends.
MCC President Paul Sheahan made the announcement this afternoon with sculptor Lis Johnson commissioned to create the statue.
Coleman played 98 VFL games between 1949 and 1954, kicked 537 goals (including 12 on debut), was the club’s leading goal kicker each of the six years he played and led the VFL goals tally on four occasions.
Pre-order your copy of a brand new book, Coleman – Essendon’s High-flying Legend by Dan Ackerly from the Bomber Shop today.
Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said it was a great tribute to one of the league's greatest full forwards.
"John coleman is on of the greatest players of all time and it is sensational to see him being honoured outside the home of football - the MCG," Robson said.
"He kicked 537 goals in 98 games and since 1956 the AFL's leading goal kicker for the home and away season has been awarded the Coleman Medal. This demonstrates how he is not only an important part of Essendon Football Club's history but also the Australian Football League's history."
MCC President Paul Sheahan said the achievements of Coleman could not be overlooked.
“It is fitting that on the eve of the MCG’s opening match of the 2013 AFL season we announce John Coleman’s induction into the Australia Post Avenue of Legends series,” Sheahan said.
“His playing record in a relatively short career is remarkable, while his contribution as a coach cannot be overlooked.”
Coleman played in two VFL premierships (1949 and 1950) before his career was cut short by a knee injury. Later, he would go on to coach Essendon for seven season including the premiership years of 1962 and 1965.
His achievements have earned him selection in the AFL Team of the Century, induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and induction as a Legend into the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame.
Essendon Football Club paid tribute to the champion goal kicker last season by announcing him as the first player featured on the club’s Heritage Guernsey.
Get your 2013 Heritage Guernsey from the Bomber Shop today.
Coleman will join sporting greats Sir Donald Bradman, Keith Miller, Bill Ponsford, Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne, Ron Barassi, Leigh Matthews, Dick Reynolds, Haydn Bunton, Norm Smith, Shirley Strickland and Betty Cuthbert outside the MCG, each represented at 1.5 times life size.
Get your limited edition player signed boxed Heritage Guernsey from the Bomber Shop today.
“It is fitting that on the eve of the MCG’s opening match of the 2013 AFL season we announce John Coleman’s induction into the Australia Post Avenue of Legends series,” Sheahan said.
“His playing record in a relatively short career is remarkable, while his contribution as a coach cannot be overlooked.”
Coleman played in two VFL premierships (1949 and 1950) before his career was cut short by a knee injury. Later, he would go on to coach Essendon for seven season including the premiership years of 1962 and 1965.
His achievements have earned him selection in the AFL Team of the Century, induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and induction as a Legend into the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame.
Essendon Football Club paid tribute to the champion goal kicker last season by announcing him as the first player featured on the club’s Heritage Guernsey.
Get your 2013 Heritage Guernsey from the Bomber Shop today.
Coleman will join sporting greats Sir Donald Bradman, Keith Miller, Bill Ponsford, Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne, Ron Barassi, Leigh Matthews, Dick Reynolds, Haydn Bunton, Norm Smith, Shirley Strickland and Betty Cuthbert outside the MCG, each represented at 1.5 times life size.
Get your limited edition player signed boxed Heritage Guernsey from the Bomber Shop today.
